A Small Guide to Become an Ultrasound Technician!

An ultrasound technician, also known as a sonographer, is someone who runs equipment that employs high-frequency sound waves to record images of a person's internal organs. Ultrasound technicians play a vital role in diagnosing since they work directly with physicians and patients. These technicians may specialize in Abdominal, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Vascular, Musculoskeletal and Pediatric Sonography. To become an ultrasound technician, one needs to complete accredited ultrasound training classes in Manhattan and must possess the necessary skills to be successful in the field.

Types of ultrasound technicians –

A patient needs a report of internal body imaging due to various reasons. Each type of ultrasound technician specializes in helping physicians detect conditions in various parts of the body. Some of these are –

Abdominal Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians specialize in imaging abdominal cavities and various other organs like the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, or kidneys.

Breast Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians focus on imaging breast tissue to search for cysts and tumors.

Cardiac Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians, also referred to as echo ultrasound technicians specialize in imaging hearts, chambers, valves, and vessels.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians specialize in imaging joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Pediatric Ultrasound Technicians – These technician performs imaging of infants and children.

Obstetric Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians analyze imaging for female reproductive organs and unborn babies.

Vascular Ultrasound Technicians – These technicians work with imaging to examine blood vessels and measure blood pressure and volume to detect blood clots.

Though there are a significant number of designations within the field of Ultrasound Technicians, the tasks of these professionals remain the same, which is to operate imaging equipment and conduct various tests on organs and tissues in the human body. Depending on the title and the type of work salary of these technicians may vary.

Job responsibilities of Ultrasound Technicians –

These technicians may have the following responsibilities –

Perform diagnostics ultrasound exams.

Maintained ultrasound equipment, rooms, and patient logs.

Documentation of patient’s records, note results, and complete billing forms.

Inform patients about procedures, and communicate findings to doctors.

Report and document ultrasound equipment issues.

Steps to become Ultrasound Technician –

Diagnostic sonography is a growing field, and individuals can get various opportunities to specialize as they advance their careers in this field. If you are thinking about becoming an ultrasound technician, here are some of the steps that one needs to follow to pursue a career in this field.

Determine what educational path you will need –

You can enroll in various educational paths depending on your finances, career plans, and responsibilities. These three options are–

Enrolling in an associate degree program.

Enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program.

Enrolling in a certification program.

Graduate from an accredited sonography program –

Enrolling in the accredited program at an accredited ultrasound school in Manhattan will let potential employers know about your skills, i.e., what you have learned and trained to the high standards of an accrediting agency.

Gaining hands-on experience in the sonography field –

As getting a formal education is not essential; however, if you would like to become certified at some point, you must gain hands-on experience as an ultrasound technician. And to gain experience, one needs to find a job. Having at least two years of experience is preferred before you can try to become a certified ultrasound technician.

Enrolling in an internship while going through an associate degree program is a great way to learn the skills of the trade and gain experience while going to ultrasound school in Manhattan. Apart from this, you can also assist another ultrasound technician or even volunteer at your local hospital.

Consider earning a certification in the sonography field –

Once you get a couple of years of experience, you can try to become a certified ultrasound technician. There are various areas in which ultrasound technicians can gain certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography –

Abdomen

Breast

Echocardiography

OB/GYN

Vascular

To gain any of these certifications, one needs to be a part of the ARDMS and need to appear for an exam.

The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists offers 15 different certifications to aspirants, including –

Mammography

Registered Radiologist Assistant

Nuclear Medicine Technology

Radiography

Likewise, the Cardiovascular Credentialing International Association offers –

Certified Cardiac Sonographer

Advanced Cardiac Sonographer

Registered Cardiac Sonographer

To gain these certifications, one needs to register in the association that they are from and also needs to appear for an exam to show competence in the field of sonography.

Career Outlook for Ultrasound Technician –

With the evolution of medical technology and the ongoing introduction of breakthroughs into the healthcare industry, new skilled ultrasound technologists have tremendous job possibilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 122,300 ultrasound technicians working in the United States in 2016; this number is expected to expand by as much as 17% by 2026, which is a much quicker rate of development than in other industries.

So, the above-mentioned is some of the information about ultrasound technicians. If you are looking for the best ultrasound school in Manhattan to become an Ultrasound Technician, then your search can conclude with Ace Institute of Technology.